Feed-water regulator



e. w. ws'rEETsoN FEEDWATER REGULATOR Filed May 17. 1916 ggwojio Patented Aug, Ml, 1923c entree era-res GFEOBGE W. STETSON, F HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

FEED-WATER EEGULATGR.

Application filed May 17, 1916. Serial No. 98,029.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l,- Gnonon W. S'rE'rsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hlngham in the countyof Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented cerregulators employed in connection with steam boilers.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in cases where the steam demand upon the boiler and also the steam pressure are constantly varying, it is diiiicult to provide a feed water regulator which will maintain a water input varying substantially in I accordance with the steam output. Furthermore, regulators of this type must be capable of operating for long periods with comparatively little attention and without liability of unexpected failure.

The object of the present invention is to provide a feed water regulator of simple and compact construction which operates efficiently to supply water according to the vaying requirements of the boiler. I

ith this object in View the several features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Figure 1 represents an elevation of the regulator with the enclosing casing cut away to illustrate clearly the working parts; and Fig. 2 isa detail illustrating the improved form of piston valve sleeve employed.v

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a float casing is formed by upper and lower flanged sections denoted, respectively, by 5 and 6, and secured by threaded members 7. This casing is normally secured to the side of the boiler or housing at theproper height and is connected with the boiler by a steam connection 9 and water connection 10, which cause the level of water in the casing to stand at the level of the water in the boiler. The-interior of the cas ing may be conveniently designated as a float chamber and is provided with the usual threaded connections 11 and 12 for a water glass or other device for indicating the height of the water in the chamber. A horizontal float lever 15 is fulcrumed in proximity to one end upon a short vertical link 16 which is pivoted at its lower end in cars 17 projecting from the guide casting which is attached to the lower portion 8 of the casing. The float lever 15 supports a float 19 upon one end and is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the upper end of a valve stem 20. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the float 15 is pro vided with a yoke 21 secured to the end of the lever and embracing the link 16 and valve stem 20. The valve stem is slidingly supported in an upper guide 23' and a lower guide 24. A plurality of valve members 25 are mounted upon the lower portion of the stem and oo-operate with valve sleeves 26 'to control the passage of water from the chamber 28 into the chamber 29 formed in a valve casing 27 which is secured to the underside of the float casing. Thechamber 28 commupicates directly with the usual feed pump and the chamber 29 is in constant communication with the interior of the boiler so that, when the valves are opened, water is fed to the boiler b the ump. With this construction it wil be 0 vious that as the level in, the float chamber rises, the float is lifted therewith graduall depressing the valve stem 20 and closing t e valves. On the other hand, as the level in the float chamber drpps, the weight of the float and lever cause a like movement of the float, gradually elevating the valve stem and opening the valves. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the eflective length of the moment arm between the center of mass of the float 19 and lever 15 and the fulcrum formed by the link 16, and the moment arm the" valve stem 20 is as fifteen to one, thus causing the float to exert a powerful leverage tea between the fulcrumand the connection with tending to move the valve stem. In order to secure vthe'full buoyancy of the float for moving the valve stem, means are conveniently provided for counterbalancing the weight of the float lever and the connecting parts. To this end a plurality of separable counterweights 30 are mounted on the upper end of the valve stem and supported by a flanged collar 31 secured to the ltl valve stermmlln order to facilitate the addi tionlto or removal of counterweights from the valve stem a flanged cover plate 33 is detachahly connected to the upper section 5 of the casing hy threaded members 35. It is obvious that in a device of this character the connections between the float and operating valves should be simple and compact and free from stuliing boxes or other like constructions which would tend to impede the movements of the valves. in the present mechanism. the float lever is connected directly to the valve stem Which is slidingly supported in upper and lower bearings which serve to guide the stem Without sure; stantiallyimpeding the movements. lt Wlll he noted from an inspection of the drawings that the upper guide comprises a sleeve 87 which is threaded in the lower portion of. the casing and receives the valve stem, this portion of which isprovided with a series oil concentrically arranged rings 38 which permit the valve stem to move freely through the guide but prevent any-considerahle flow of Water from the float chamber to the intake chamber or vice versa. The Water valve is balanced and comprises two opposed piston valves mounted upon the valve stem and freely movable in the valve sleeves 26 each of which consists of a tuhular cage 40, threaded in an opening formed in a "flanged portion of the casing and pro vided with a series oi unitorruly'arranged por's lle Each vpiste-in valve is loosely received in the valve sleeve and the verticel movement of the valve causes the ports to he uncovered more or less to control cl supply of trols the supply oi Water through ver neat and is not intended to com-- pletely cut oil cornnninicstion between the tvvo charnliers t l o l" ission more he valve 2 i the piston valve in cases when the holler is to he put under a hydrostatic ressurei To this end a lift--- ing rod l2 is t readed in a plug l3 secured in the lower portion of the valve casing and is arranged tofengage With the lower end of the valve rod to open the valves and permitthe flow of Water into the boiler, The lift-- ing rod is provided with any usual type of stuiling box, indicated at l5.

It is desirable that it the Water level in the boiler for any reason \vhetsoever rises or falls beyond certain predetermined limits,

an alarm shall he 'iven. in the present invention a steam W istle is secured to the float casing and ,is controlled by a normally closed valve which may be operated at predetermined levels of the Water by connec tions between the valve end tioat lever. Any usual type of steam whistle indicated at 50, is secured to the upper portion of the float casing and provided with n controlling 55 predetermined levels inclined secured to the lever 15, as shown. I the drawings, and is provided with pletiorin y no Zoned also shout which the lever 'l ll till incense cally sealed and remain sealed when subjectedto severe working conditions. In the present invention a seamless substantially spherical floatis provided and is supported in a basket secured, to the end of the float lever. This basket consists of a pair of straps 70 and 71 arranged to form loops passin about the float at right angles and secured at their free ends to a collar 72 threaded upon the end of the float lever. The straps clamp the float firmly against the face of a curved head 73 secured to the end of the float lever, as shown clearly in the drawings. With this construction the float is positioned in the basket and by threading the collar in the proper direction on the float lever the straps are caused to clamp the float firmly against the head 73. The collar may be conveniently locked in any adjusted position by a locking nut 75 threadedly mounted upon the lever. With this construction thefloat is firmly clamped to the end of the lever without the necessity of piercing or damaging the float in any way which would tend to cause leakage.

It will be obvious that a float employed in this manner is subjected to a considerable external pressure which is constantly varied, and although these floats are tested for an external pressure greater than the normal steam pressure of the boiler, the constant flexing of the float, due to variation in the unbalanced external premure, weakens the float and very materially impairs the efficiency. In order to balance the pressure within and without the float it is customary to add a measured quantity of water depending upon the maximum external pressure and temperature to which the float is subjected and, which is vaporized to create an internal pressure equal to the external pressure upon the float. This expedient for balancing the premure is not satisfactory, however, as it is found that, owing to the continuous condensation of steam in the float chamber and leakage of cold water from the valve chamber, the temperature of the water in the lower portion of the chamber is less than the normal boiling point of the water at the pressure in the chamber. Thus, if water is employed the pressure within the float, which is substantially equal to that due to the mean temperature within the float chamber, is consequently less than the pressure without the float. In the present invention the external and internal pressures upon the float are balanced by insertin in the float a measured quantity of liquid w ich has a boiling point lower than the boiling point of water at any given pressure. With this arrangement the mean temperature in the float chamber, which is lower than the boiling point of water at the corresponding pressure, will serve to vaporize the liquid within the floatand produce an internal pressure substantially equal to the external pressure. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention ethyl chloride, sulphuric ether,

alcohol and benzine may be mentioned as some of the liquids having the desired characteristics. 1

While it is preferred to employ the specific construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, it will be understood that this construction and arrangement is not essential except so far as specified in the claims, and may be changed or modified without departing from the broader features of the invention.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A feed water regulator, having, in combination, a substantially horizontal float lever fulcrumed adjacent one end, a float supported upon'the end of the lever,.a vertical valve stem connected with the opposite end of the lever adjacent the fulcrum, valve sleeves having a plurality of triangular ports formed therein, and a piston valve secured to the valve stem and arranged to control the flow of water through the valve ports as the stem is moved vertically.

2. A feed water regulator, having, in com bination, a float lever tulcrumed adjacent one end, a float supported upon one end of the lever, a vertically movable valve stem connected to the opposite end of the lever adj acent the fulcrum, upper and lower guide members for the valve stem, a counterweight for the float and lever, a piston valve mounted upon the stem between the guide mem bers, and a valve sleeve cooperating with the piston valve to control the flow of water.

3. A feed water regulator, comprising a casing having a float chamber therein, a float lever pivoted in the casing, a float supported upon one end of the lever, a high and low water alarm, and connections between the float lever and alarm including a normally horizontal platforln for causing the operation of the alarm when the water level in the chamber exceeds predetermined limits.

4. A feed water regulator, comprising a casing having a float chamber contained therein, a float lever pivoted in the casing, a float supported upon one end of the lever, an alarm device an operating arm for the alarm, a normally horizontal platform supported by the float lever, and connections between the platform and operating arm for permitting the actuation of the alarm device lwhen theplattorm is tipped by the float ever.

5. A feed. water regulator, comprising a casing having a float chamber contained therein, a normally horizontal float lever pivoted in the casing, a float supported upon one end of the lever, an arm secured to the float lever, a platform supported upon the arm above the fulcrum for the lever, an

' therein, a float lever supported in the casing,

Aft

alarm device, and connections between the alarm device and platform for permitting the operation of the alarm device when the platform is moved beyond predetermined limits by the movement of the float lever.

6. A feed water regulator ber contained therein, a tioat lever pivoted in the casing, a float supported upon one end of the lever, a whistle secured to the casing and adapted to be operated by the steam pressure within the casing, a valve normally closing the whistle, an arm supporting the valve, means acting on the arm to normally maintain the valve closed, and connections between the float lever and arm including a normally horizontal platformfor operating the arm when the water level exceeds predetermined limits.

7. A feed water regulator, comprising a casing having, a float chamber contained 81A water level apparatus for steam boih ers, comprising a casing having a Float chamber contained therein and adapted to be connected with the steam and water spaces'in the boiler, and a sealed float supported in the casing and containing a liquid, the boiling; point of which is lower than-the boiling point of water at any given pressure.

for steam boilers, compnsmg a casing having a float cha'm- 9. A water level apparatus for steam boilers, comprising a casing having a. float chamber contained therein and adapted ,to be connected with the steam and water spaces in the boiler, and a sealed float supported in the casing and containing a predetermined quantity of alcohol point than water at any given pressure.

10. A feed water regulator having, in combination, a float chamber adapted to be connectedwith the steam and water spaces of a boiler, a float lever fulcrumed within the chamber, a valve-casing having a partition-wall separating it into inlet and discharge chambers and provided with a threaded opening therein, an apertured valvesleeve threaded in the opening and having the apertures located wholly at one side of the partition, a valve-stem connected with the float lever, and a piston-valve mounted upon the stem and sliding within the valvesleeve to control the flow of water from the inlet to the discharge chamber.

11. A feed water regulator having, in combination, a float chamber adapteo to be connected with the steam and water spaces of a boiler, a float lever fulcrumed within the chamber, a float supported upon one end of the lever, a valve rod connected adjacent the opposite, end of the lever, valve sleeves havinn; substantially triangular ports formed. therein, and balanced upon the valve rod and each (Jo-operating with a sleeve to feed a variable supply of water to the boiler in accordance with the position of the float.

onoree w. srnrson.

which has a lower boiling piston valves mounted 

